Formative Narratives: 2024 Clay Houston Member's Show

• Thursday, Nov 7, 2024  6pm - 8pm Opening Reception
• Fri, Oct 25, 2024 - Sat, Nov 30, 2024  9am - 5pm On view

Celebrating 20 years as an organization ClayHouston presents Formative Narratives, an exhibition featuring individuals who have helped to shape ClayHouston in the past, present, and into the future.

As clay is shaped, it shapes the maker. This malleable material connects creators from diverse backgrounds, forging bonds that make ClayHouston the community it is today. This exhibition showcases objects that encapsulate moments in time displaying the marks of makers, decisions pondered, and lessons learned; with each narrative form, we honor their place in our formative narrative. This annual non-juried show includes diverse works ranging from sculptural to functional ceramics, from current ClayHouston members at all levels of experience residing in and around the Houston area.

About the Juror: 
Elizabeth Essner is the newly appointed Windgate Foundation Associate Curator of Craft at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Previously an independent curator and writer, Elizabeth has authored and co-authored numerous publications, and curated exhibitions for institutions including the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Arizona State University Art Museum, UrbanGlass, and the Hunterdon Art Museum. A 2017 Curatorial Fellow with the Center for Craft in Asheville, North Carolina, she received her MA from the Bard Graduate Center in New York.

Participating Artists:
A. M. Schaer, Adriana Fallas, Amanda Barry Jones, Amanda Wood, Andre Bally, Angela Corson, Anne Steacy, Anne Walker, April DeConick, Ashley Edwards, Begoña Herranz, Cameron Rowe, Carol Berger, Christine Soderstrom, Clara Hoag, Damon Thomas, Dana Cargile, Eileen McClellan, Emily Rensink, Femi Akande, Franki Star, Gabriela  Monterroso, Gabriela Bello, Gita Van Woerden, Gozde Kaya Hepisler, Haejung Lee, Hillary Graves, Hugh David Waddell, Jacqueline Sanchez, James Beard, Jane Mooney, Jeanie Lindberg, Jessica Phillips, Jill Huston, Jo Zider, Julia McLaurin, Julianna Bray, Karen  Faulk, Karina "Aimee" Kudla, Kelley Eggert, Ken Gray, Linda May Martin, Lisetta Lavy, Lovie Sumler, Mara Cavalcanti  Reid, Maria Raquel Morales, MaryAnn Lucas, Meghan Rutz, Michael Mallory, Michelle Ellis, Mily McBryan, N. Blanca, Naomi Choi, Nicole  O'Bryan, Olivia Tarricone, Patricia Edwards, R. Adam Blount, Renee Lieber, Saba Besier, Sabine Triplett, Saida Fagala, Susan Budge, Suzette Schutze, Terry Hagiwara, Trey Morgan, Una Kirkpatrick, Val Glitsch, Vera Hashem, Virginia Bally, Vivian Pastor, and founding members Lebeth Lammers, Daryl McCracken and Thomas Perry.

Image: Courtesy of Clara Hoag

ClayHouston Mission Statement:
ClayHouston exists to cultivate, promote, and advance the ceramic arts in the Houston Metropolitan area and beyond. We work to provide our members with opportunities through education, professional development, exhibitions, workshops, and programs while partnering with local arts organizations to further our reach. Additionally, we create recreational programs as an opportunity for our members to socialize, build community and learn from one another in a casual atmosphere. ClayHouston was founded in 2004 and is a volunteer-run 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Learn more and join here. Our Equity and Inclusion Statement Working to bridge the gap between clay and under-represented communities in Houston while naming and co-creating opportunities within our organization and alongside city partners to provide inclusive programming and engagement, regardless of religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, or ability. Every year, ClayHouston awards money to ceramic artists in Texas who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color. Learn more about our BIPOC Award here.